Crossing Thames Estuary

[Koeketiene]

New Sunk TSS scheme

I think I will ignore the whole thing - seems more apt for "big" ships.

After all, it would mean reprogramming the GPS /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[shmoo]

Re: New Sunk TSS scheme

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I think I will ignore the whole thing


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Not completely, I hope. They are moving a number of those big buoy things. I would hate you to bump into one!

 

[dur]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

It looks as if I may be going the other way - Deben to Ramsgate - in early July. The Thames estuary looks pretty scary to the uninitiated (ie me) so any thoughts on route and timings would be very welcome.

 

[pvb]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

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It looks as if I may be going the other way - Deben to Ramsgate - in early July. The Thames estuary looks pretty scary to the uninitiated (ie me) so any thoughts on route and timings would be very welcome.

[/ QUOTE ]Straight round the outside!

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

From the Deben, you could reverse the route suggested via Foulgers Gat..... Timing is a bit less easy than the other direction... ideally you want to catch the last of the ebb out of the river, and then get a fair tide most of the way... but then you get a foul tide round Nth Foreland which turns upto an hour earlier than most of the Estuary.... and more importantly also have to leave the Deben at or near LW (a bad thing!)... so perhaps leave the Deben on the previous HW and dive into Harwich, and depart from there... or you can choose to stem the tide a little at the Suffolk end, and then get a fair tide around Nth Foreland... and then if your draft allows, could still leave directly from the Deben..... both of these options still see you through Foulgers Gat with plenty of water, and on a rising tide still...

I still wouldn't go right round the outside.... its a lot further....

 

[pvb]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

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I still wouldn't go right round the outside.... its a lot further....

[/ QUOTE ]So what's the big hurry? Going down the outside is safe and easy. If we wanted to get there quickly, we'd buy mobos!

 

[dur]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

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Going down the outside is safe and easy.

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and what about the brand new TSSs and roundabout?

 

[Sixpence]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

and traffic lights

Nah , I'll take the Morgana route inshore , at least it takes a bit more navigational skills which is interesting

 

[dur]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

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if your draft allows

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centreboarder - but, assuming it happens, will be very new to me with precious little idea of how it copes with different sea conditions etc. etc.

 

[pvb]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

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and what about the brand new TSSs and roundabout?

[/ QUOTE ]Mmmm, I see you're easily impressed.

 

[Koeketiene]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

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and what about the brand new TSSs and roundabout?

[/ QUOTE ]Mmmm, I see you're easily impressed.

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The English "problem" - always follow the rules!
Following the rules absolves you from any responsibility; following the rules does not require you to think for yourself; following the rules gives meaning to an empty existence.

PS: it's quite late and I may have had too much to drink. Always get philosophical when I've had too much to drink.

 

[Sixpence]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

specially a certain product , but well said anyway

 

[pvb]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

You hadn't had too much to drink - you could still spell "philosophical"!

 

[dur]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

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Mmmm, I see you're easily impressed.

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Maybe. Also easily confused not to mention easily worried where ships are concerned!

 

[Koeketiene]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

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You hadn't had too much to drink - you could still spell "philosophical"!

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Firefox with built in spell-checker /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Koeketiene]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

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specially a certain product , but well said anyway

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Thank you

Amazingly, it was not the usual suspect.
Had been offered a couple of bottles of something "new" - went down very well.

It was supposed to have been a celebration drink (new job - big money), but by the looks of it I may well have been drowning my sorrows. But all is not lost - it may still work out as planned/hoped for.

And there's a very nice Plan B, though that would entail moving abroad. Wife & kids not too keen; but the job's something I've always wanted to do.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

Ok.... my opinions... in no particular order...

During July, i'll be avoiding the new Sunk TSS scheme.... not because I'm particularly worried about it, but i'd like to give the big iron some time to work it out for themselves first, and avoid getting in the way of their confusion!

I agree going round the outside is easier..... safer, I'm not so sure... its a long way round, and takes you across more areas where there is likely to be traffic.... and besides, IMHO, working your way across the various cuts, gats and channels is a classic, can't be missed, part of Thames Estuary sailing, and something that sharpens your skills for when you need them in anger.... besides..... going through Foulgers Gat is childs play.... its no harder than getting out of Harwich, and certainly easier than getting out of the Deben..... its not one of the real shallow channels like the Ray Sands.... the other disadvantage of going right round the outside is that it pretty much forces you to have to plug a foul tide for a while... whereas a cross estuary route does give you a fighting chance of missing most of it....

Finally, yes it isn't a race..... but its fun going the route I suggested above, and you'll arrive with a sense of satisfaction at a job well done!

I will add, i'm not being stuffy and traditionalist here.... i've been round the outside too when conditions suggested it was wise to do so....

PS... Guapa.... another one to try!!!!!!!! you'll be getting me into trouble... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Sixpence]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

Hmm , now that certainly looks like a drop of something I could take a fancy to /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif and I don't mind moving abroad if the jobs worth it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif nothing to do with the beer of course /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Black Sheep]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

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centreboarder - but, assuming it happens, will be very new to me with precious little idea of how it copes with different sea conditions etc. etc.

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Depending on the boat's size and your other experience, you might want to consider taking the longer route up the Essex coat & down the Kent one. This could give you several short sails, with the ability to break your journey at places like Brightlingsea where you could pop into the chandlers for those things that broke or you never thought of. And more options if things get dodgy.

I reckon 3 days will get you there & could be very enjoyable (depending on conditions) - I think that's what I'd do with a new untried boat. And I'd be really tempted to spend the second night up the Roach, coming out the Havengore Gap at HW.

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Crossing Thames Estuary - going the other way?

That's a great route depending on draft and springs/neaps, but I don't really think it's any easier!